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inet-logistics: Collaborative Supply Chain of the Future

Poul Larsen, MD, China

There was a time when logistics management was a linear sequence of discrete functions and a good ERP system was enough to achieve end-to-end supply chain optimization. Today, globalization, renewed customer expectations, and complexities around an ever-expanding supplier network across all modes of transport have made it difficult for companies to accurately track and trace logistics functions. As the requirements for an intelligent logistics system keeps growing, inet-logistics is the answer to how companies can optimize all aspects of global transport processes while sustainably reducing transportation costs. “While other vendors tout supply chain improvements— that may be eroded by changing circumstances—our solution ensures sustainable benefits through periodical reviews of the network design,” remarks Poul Larsen, Managing Director China, inet-logistics. With extensive logistics know-how gathered over two decades, inet offers a revolutionary cloud-based transport management system (TMS) that is scalable, easy to implement, and connects global and multi-mode transport networks in real time.

The inet TMS software automates administrative processes in logistics and easily integrates with a client's existing architecture. The solution consolidates all transport demands in one system and offers a full continuum of services starting with the most efficient planning of the transport demands and electronic placement of the orders with the selected providers. Periodically the network can also be optimized according to the current throughput, product mix, suppliers and transport costs.

Once the solution is in execution mode, it detects any deviations compared to deadlines and sends immediate alerts to the control room for complete security and transparency. “The entire workflow is taken care of digitally which generates huge efficiencies, allows early intervention, and greatly enhances service delivery,” says Larsen.

Moreover, to effectively track all shipments including the last mile, inet offers mobile applications through which truck drivers can report all supply chain events in real-time. For an exact evaluation of logistics performance, the solution's analytics feature offers actionable insights on networks suppliers and cost structures. Since the calculation of transport costs is often a complex task owing to complex rates and large amounts of transactions, inet's freight cost management module performs an auditable calculation of the transport costs which is often forming the basis for self-billing. This saves a lot of time and ensures that the correct freight amount is paid.

The proficiency of inet's TMS is such that, organizations demonstrate transport cost savings at an average of 20 percent and deliver ROI in the first two years. In the case of AGCO, a manufacturer of agricultural equipment, the company was on the lookout for a logistics 4.0 solution to address its decentralized logistics structure. Network growth and market volatility posed constant challenges in AGCO’s inbound logistics. With inet TMS, the client was able to connect 1500 suppliers, integrate more than 70 carriers worldwide and reduce carbon emissions by 14 percent. If that wasn't all, AGCO achieved all the benefits in only 18 months and saved 28 percent of total costs.

Built around the core value of trust, agility and excellence, inet is a visionary that organizations from any industry whether automotive, pharmaceutical, or retail can rely upon to deliver solutions quickly. “We don't engage in projects that take years to set up. We have an expansive carrier and supplier ecosystem along with a strong partner network which provides our clients’ access to a large number of trained consultants,” explains Larsen. For the maximum benefit of clients, the company has multiple offices all around the globe from US and Europe to Asia Pacific, and offers 24x7 customer support and the ability to roll out TMS worldwide.

Disrupting the industry since 1999, inet is all set to roll out a new tendering module that will allow companies to negotiate transport costs with suppliers. Advanced IoT and predictive analytics solutions that improve supply chain surveillance are also in the pipeline. “Our vision is to create a collaborative world by connecting every part of the supply chain and above all empower our customers to be more competitive by leveraging state of the art digital solutions,” ends Larsen.